Career research.

[energizedclimber]

Hey,

Just looking into this career as some job openings for apprentice lineman maybe opening in my area. Wondering what options there are later in your career once you've become a journeyman. Any chance for private or self employed work? Interested in hearing about other career oportunities once you've reached the journyman/red seal level. Just don't want to put a bunch of time and effort into a new career to hit the top after 4 years. Any advice to would be great.

[Rob]

I'd say most guys move up to Foreman or Crew Leader and that's about it. Management is always an option

[Pootnaigle]

Umm and with taking a management job comes some bad feelings tween you and those that thunk they deserved it at least as much, or have a favorite guy that got passed over

[T-Man]

The Linemen and Troubleshooters I knew were there because they liked the work, and wanted to learn as much as they could about the job. The pay for good linemen is pretty good, the hours can be long. Moving up to lead is dependent on the age of the current leads if they move up or retire. I believe you should take the next step up that is presented to you, but you have to be able to pass a test etc. Sometimes you get to step up to lead to cover vacations and that is a good time to find out if that is for you. There are guys happy doing their job and not wanting the extra agony of managing crews.

Now if you think you could open your own contracting outfit, good luck, just the outlay for tools, trucks and various equipment should let you know if that is a good plan. Not to mention the cost if insuring your workers, who get injured every now and then.

Good luck.
T

[reppy007]

When I started I was just out of the Army for about a month,I only applied cause I was told the company was hiring.I didnt even know or care what a lineman was.I started out as a helper and to me it was just another job,I guess I was a slow learner,but a good hand.It took awhile for me to see what was really going on,the pay that apprentices were getting paid,the raises they were getting every 6 months.As I learned more it became sort of enjoyable,yea,I got my butt chewed out a few times but I was already used to that.Maybe it was luck on my side but I pretty much learned from some good lineman and apprentices,back then your job was safe as long as you showed up on time and worked hard,there were times when I said to myself....hey reppy....100 thousand a year for a high-school drop-out isnt so bad and it wasnt,like its been said there is some long days and hours.Lots of calls at 3 or 4 am,lots of working holidays away from your family,plenty of days when the weather really sucked..........was it all worth it?.....sure,its a **** good trade where you learn and meet great people.Some of the best times are the hardest times,some things are not so clear,until you really get into it and solve the problems that you are facing.Often you learn later why this or that has failed or why you get off the wall voltages.You learn and teach others,often you see that same problem down the line,it can be a year later,could be five years later...but one thing is also clear about the trade,,you never see it all,you can think you have,but you havent.